Organ-coupler.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH SCHWERTNER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR '10 HEERWAGEN COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ORGAN-COUPLER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrrr SCHWERTNER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Organ-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to organ couplers or the like.

Many prior couplers have been clumsy, heavy, large and complex, while others have necessitated the use of two different degrees of pressure or have had other disadvantages.

The main object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a coupler which is extremely simple and efficient, not likely to get out of order, not liable to leakage, and occupies a very small space.

Further objects, features and advantages will more clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section somewhat diagrammatic, taken through certain parts of an organ action embodying one form of my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan view of some of the coupling valves.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents one of the great organ keys operating on a lever 2.

3 is a suitable wind chest supplied with air under pressure.

4 is an opening leading from the wind chest 3 to the outside atmosphere. The outside end of the opening 4 is arranged to be closed by a valve closure 5, and the inside end of the opening 4 is arranged to be closed by a valve closure 6, both valve closures 5 and 6 being rigidly connected to the same operating spindle 7. Leading out of the bottom of the wind chest 3 is a plurality of air ducts connecting with and forming part of flexible air ducts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. These air ducts extend up through the base 14 of the wind chest 3 and terminate in the top horizontal plane thereof. Within the wind chest 3 is arranged a movable memher or pallet 15 of the pallet rail carrying on its underneath side a strip of felt 16 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 26, 1912.

Patented Dec. 30, 1913.

Serial No. 705,935.

her 3, as shown in the drawings. A duct 20 leads from the air passage at to the interior of the pneumatic 17.

21 represents one of the swell keys operating pivoted lever 22.

23 represents a wind chest for the swell action.

24 represents an air duct or passage connecting the interior of the chest 23 with the outside atmosphere.

25 is a valve closure for closing the outside end of said air duct, and 26 is a valve closure for closlng the inside end of said air passage.

The valve closures 25 and 26 are rigidly connected to a movable spindle 27. Wind chest 23 through its lower member 28 has an air passage forming part of a controlling air duct 29. The air duct 29 is arranged to be closed by a valve closure or pallet 30 of the swell organ pallet rail which valve closure is of felt or other sultable material fixed to a movable member '31. The movable member 31 is arranged to be operated by means of a pneumatic motor 32 having one member fixed to the mov able member 31, and another member fixed to the frame of the wind chest 23, said last mentioned members being connected by flexible membrane or other suitable matea ber 38.

39 represents a wind chest situated above the chamber 38 and connected therewith by means of an air passage 40. An air passage ll connects the chamber 38 with the external atmosphere. When in its lower position the valve closure 37 is arranged to close the passage ll and when in its upper position it is arranged to close the passage et). Leading from the chamber 38 is an air duct 4-2 which connects with suitable con trolling devices 200 (indicated diagrammatically) to control the operation of one of the speaking devices 201 of the great organ in any suitable or well known manner.

The controlling air duct 29 leads into a chamber 51 covered by a flexible membrane which is secured to a valve stem 53 to operate the same. Secured to the valve stem is a valve closure 54- arranged within a chamber Situated above the chamber 55 is a wind chest 56 connected with the chamber by means of an air passage 57. The chamber 55 is connected with the external atmosphere by means 01 an air passage \Vhcn in its upper position the valve closure 56 is arranged to close the air passage 57 and when in its lower position it is arranged to close the air passage 58. Leading from the chamber is an air duct 59 which connects with suitable controlling devices 26% (indicated diagrammatically) to control the operation of one of the speaking devices 203- of the swell organ in any suitable or well known manner.

(38 represents a iedal key for the organ,

ting a lever 69, held in its normal po sition by a spring (30.

G1 rep esents wind chest and 62 an air passage connecting the wind chest 61 with the external atmosphere.

(13 represents an air passage connecting the air passage 32 with an air duct (34: which leads to any well known form of suitable operating or cont olling devices 20% (indicated diagi .nin cally) controlling a pedal s tieaking device 205. The lever carries a valve stem 5 having secured to it at its upper end valve closure 66 arranged to close the upper end of the air passage (32. The valve stem has also secured to it a valve closure 37 ar iged to close the lower end of the passage when the valve closure is in its upper position.

The operation of the parts so far described as follows: Upon depression of one end of the pivoted great key 1. the lever 52 is raised, thus allowing the wind pressure within the chest 3 to rai e the valve stem 7, thereby closing the lower end of the opening land opening the ind passage 20 to the outside atmosphere. This reduces the pressure within the pneumatic motor 17 and the wind pressure within the chest 3 causes the motor 1'? to be collapsed, thereby raising the valve closure 16 from its seat. This opens the controlling end of the duct 8 to the wind pressure within the chest 3 so that air rushes into the duct 8 and hence to the chamber 33%, causing the membrane 35 to be pushed upwardly. This raises the valve closure 37, thus closing the wind passage 4:0 and opening the passage -1 so that the air duct l) is connected to the atmosphere and the wind pressure which formerly existed therein due to its connection with the chest 39, is reduced. This reduction in pressure then acts through suitable intermediate devices to 'cause one of the great organ speaking devices to operate in any usual or well known manner. In a similar manner, upon depression of the swell key 21 the lever is raised, thus allowing the valve closures :23 and 26 to be raised under the action of the pressure within the wind chest 23. This action closes the lower end of the passage 24 and opens the passage 83 to the outside atmcsphere thus reducing the pressure within the motor 32, so that the same collapses by the action of the pressure within the wind chest 23. The collapsing of the pneumatic motor 32 raises the valve closure from its seat, thus opening the air duct 29 to the pres sure within the chest 23. Air then rushes into the air duct '29 and into the chamber 51, causing the flexible membrane to be raised and with it the valve closure 54, so that it closes the air passage 57 and opens thi air passage 58. This connects the air duct 59 with the outside atmosphere, thus reducing the pressure within the duct 59. which had previously been maintained by its connection with the wind chest 56. causinga reduction in pressure therein which actuates any usual or well known intermediate controlling or operating device to cause one of the speaking devices of the swell organ to operate.

In order that one or more speaking devices ot the swell organ may be caused to speak when one or more of the s 'ieaking devices of the great organ are caused to speak and merely by the operation of one of the great organ keys. the air duct 11 is suitably connected with an air duct 70 which leads into the chamber 31 above described. The air passages 11 and 70 form an air duct and between them I provide a suitable conpliin: valve. For this purpose the air duct 11 leads into a block 71 of a coupling valve structure upon which block is arranged a sliding valve nieinliier 79. The ducts 11 and 70 are continued through the block '70 and brought out beneath the sliding valve member 72. The member 72 is cut away at 73 so that when. the member 72 is moved to the right the ducts 11 and 70 will be connected through the cutaway portion lVhen. however. the valve member 72 is moved to the left the end of duct 70 is closed so that the two ducts 11 and 70 are not coupled. Pins 74L limit the movement of the sliding valve in each direction. It will thus be seen that the structure just described forms a coupling valve located in the air duct 11, 70.

It will be understood that there is a corresponding coupling arrangement for other notes or speaking devices of the organ and these coupling devices are in a row, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, all of the devices for coupling the great organ speaking devices with the same note or speaking device of the swell organ are placed in the same horizontal row and are operated by means of a bell crank lever 78 carrying a'horizontal member 79 at the end of one of its arms, which member has a groove therein engaging the bent over ends 87 of springs 80. The springs 80 are coiled in the middle at 81, the coils lying in and engaging recesses 82 in the tops of the sliding valve members 72. The ends of the springs 80 slide in slots in bars 83, the bars 83 holding the ends of the springs in place and thereby tending to force each sliding valve member 72 toward its seat independently of the others. This is important as if the members 72 were formed of a single long bar or piece any warping of the same would cause some parts thereof to move away from the block 71 and thus cause serious leakage bell crank lever 78 is connected to a rod 81 which in turn is connected 'to a bell crank lever like that at 85, to the other end of which is connected a rod like 86 which may be moved by stops on the organ in any suitable or well known manner. Thus upon op erating a suitable stop and throwing the bell crank lever 78 all of the great organ speaking devices are connected or coupled with the corresponding swell organ speaking devices.

If it is desired that the great organ action be coupled with the swell organ action, say an octave above, the air duct 9 is utilized. For this purpose a duct 93 extends into a chamber similar to 51 but corresponding to a speaking device, say, an octave higher. The ducts 93 and 9 are connected to form a single air passage by the opening of the valve 9 1, similar in all respects and in its connecting and operating mechanism to the valve 72. If it is desired that the great organ action be coupled with the swell organ action, say an octave lower, the air duct 10 is used. For this purpose an air duct 95 is provided which is connected to a chamber similar to 51 but corresponding to a speaking device on the swell organ, say an octave lower. A valve closure 96 acts to connect the ducts 10 and 95 to form a single air passage with the coupling valve therein, which, when the valve is open, couples up the speaking device as described and when it is closed prevents the coupling up of these devices. The op eration of the valve closure 96 and its conmeeting and operating parts is in all respects similar to that of the valve closure 72.

If it is desired to connect or couple a great organ action, say an octave lower than that corresponding to key 1 with the action of key 1, a duct 97 is provided which is arranged to be operatively connected with a duct 98, which latter duct leads into the chamber 34: previously described, and to couple the action of key 1 with a great orga n action an octave lower the duct 12 is provided. For coupling the air passages 97 and 98 to form a continuous controlling duct, a valve closure 99 is provided which operates in all respects similar to the valve closure 72. In a similar manner, it it is desired to connect a great organ action, say an octave higher than that corresponding to the key 1 with the action corresponding to the key 1, a duct 100 is provided, arranged to be operatively connected with a duct 101, which duct likewise leads to the chamber 341 pre viously described, and to couple the great organ action of key 1 with a great organ action an octave higher the duct 13 is provided. A valve closure 102 is provided for the coupling valve located in the duct- 100, 101, which operates similar to the valve closure 72. from the ducts 11, 70. The other end of the It may also be desirable to provide coupling means whereby when one of the pedal .keys is operated, corresponding actions in the great and swell organ will be operated. For this purpose the duct 64 has above it two openings 103 and 104. Covering the opening 103 is a flexible membrane 105 operating a valve stem carrying a valve closure 106 located within a chamber 107.

108 represents a wind chest and 109 an opening from the wind chest into the chamber 107. An air passage 110 extends from the chamber 107 to the external atmosphere.

Opening 104 has a flexible membrane 111 carrying a valve stem having secured there to a valve closure 112 situated within a chamber 113. An air passage 114 connects the chamber 113 with the wind chest 108 and an air passage 115 connects the chamber 113 with the external atmosphere.

When the pedal key 68 is depressed and the reduction of pressure of the wind duct 73 takes place the members 10 1 and 105 drop, thus opening the chambers 107 and 113 to the wind chest 108 and closing the openings 110 and 115, which lead to the external atmosphere.

116 represents an air duct connected to the chamber 107 and 117 represents an air duct connected with the chamber 113. Therefore, on depression of the pedal key 68 and lowering of the valve closures 106 and 112, the ducts 116 and 117 are supplied with wind from the chest 108. The duct 1.16 leads into a block 118 similar to the block 71, while the duct 117 leads into a block 119, also similar to the block 71. Leading from the block 118 is a duct 120 connecting with the chamber 31 of the great organ action, and a valve closure 121 and its connectingand operating parts, similar to the valve closure 7 2, is arranged to regulate the connection between the ducts 116 and 120; so that, if desired, and upon the moving of the valve closure 121 the pedal action may be coupled with the great organ action. In a similar manner, the duct 122 leads from the block 119 to the chamber 51 or the swell organ action and the valve closure 123 is provided for controlling the connection between the air ducts 117 and 122. The valve closure 128 and its connecting and operating parts are similar to the valve closure 72 and its connecting and operating parts, so that upon the raising of the valve closure 123 when desired, the pedal organ action is coupled witn the corresponding swell organ action.

In order that the organ or other instru ment may be automatically operated, the same is provided with ducts 146 and 145. The duct 1 16 leads to a chamber 167, covered by a suitable membrane operating a valve spindle carrying valve closures 168 and 169.

170 represents a wind chest having an air passage 171 leading therefrom to the external atmosphere. When the valve closure 168 is in its upper position it closes the lower ends of said opening 171 and when the valve closure 169 is in its lower position, it closes the upper end of the opening 171.

172 represents a bellows or pneumatic of any v vll known form which, when subjected to air pressure therein acts upon the lever 22 to move the same as does the he 21. The interior 1" the bellows 172 is con th the passage 171 by means of a duct 178. The duct L15 connects with the chamber 17?? covered by a :tiexible memcarrying a valve spindle having soaereto valve closures 171 and 17 5.

350113) a wind chest in which the valve closure 175 is located.

177 is a passage leading from the wind chest 176 to the external atmosphere. When the valve closure 17 is in its lowermost poa' on it closes the upper end of the passage 17 7 and when the valve closure 1711: is in its uppermost position it closes the lower end oi the pass 178 is a bellows or pneumatic similar to 172 and operates upon the lever 2, in the same manner as the bellows 17' operates upon the lever 22, thus upon expansion of the bellows 178 the lever 2 is operated in the same manner as it would be operated The operation may be set forth as follows: According to the perforations in the tracker sheet air will pass into duct 145 and into the chamber 173 so as to raise its covering membrane. This causes valve 010- sures 174. and 175 to rise, thus opening the passage or duct 179 to the wind chest 176 and causing the wind from the chest 176 to rush into the bellows 178. The bcllows 178 thus expands, operating the lever 2, which in turn, causes the great organ action to be set in motion and the corresponding great organ speaking device to be sounded, as previously described. For the swell organ action the air under pressure passes tln'ough duct 1 16 and into chamber 167, thereby causing its covering membrane to be raised. This raises the valve closures 168 and 169, thus allowing the air under pressure to be supplied to the bellows 172 from the wind chest 170. This causes the bellows 172 to expand and operate the lever which sets in motion the swell organ action to cause the swell organ sp aking device to be sounded, as previously described. In order that a corresponding pedal note may be sounded when a great organ speaking device is sounded automatically, as just described, I provide a duct 180 leading from the passage 177 to a valve block 181. The valve block 181 is provided with chambers 182, into one of which the duct 180 enters. A back pressure valve 188 is provided over the end of the duct 180 so that when the air in duct 180 is under pressure it will not place the air in duct 189 under pressure. Leading from one of the chambers 182 is a duct 181, which connects with the chamber 185. Over the chamber 185 is a flexible iuen'ibrane 186, carrying a valve stem, upon which is secured a valve 187. The valve 187 is arranged to normally close an opening 188 leading from a passage 6 4 to the external atmosphere. \Vhcn the valve closure 18 is in its uppermost position it is arranged to close the passage 63 to the passage 61 and thus prevent waste of wind from the chest 61. The operation of these features is follows: Upon the auton'iatic operation of the great organ action, as above described, the passage 177 is opened to the wind chest 176. Therefore wind rushes into the duct 180 and from beneath the valve 182 into the chambers 182, through the duct 18 1 and into the chamber 185. This raises the membrane 186, causing the valve closure 187 to close the passage 63 and open the passage 88 to the passage 61-. This causes a reduction of pressure in the passage which causes the actuation of the pedal organ sounding device, as previously described. In a similar manner, a duct 189 connects the passage 171 with the chambers 182, a back pressure alve 190' being provided over the end of the duct 189 so that air under pressure in the duct 189 will not place the air in the duct 180 under pressure. Thus, upon the automatic actuation of the swell organ mechanism, as above described, and the connection of the passage 171 with the wind chest 170, air will likewise rush through the duct 189 into the chambers 182 and thence through the duct 18 i and cause the actuation of the corresponding pedal organ speaking device, as just previously described.

It will, of course, be understood that there is a valve closure 16 corresponding to each of the great organ keys and a valve closure 30 corresponding to each of the swell organ keys. It will also be understood that there is a coupling device indicated at 7 2, etc., corresponding to each of the great organ keys which it may be desired to couple with the swell organ direct. It will also be understood that there are a plurality of coupling devices indicated at 94:, etc., corresponding to the great organ keys which it is desired to couple with the swell organ an octave higher, and that there are a plurality of coupling devices indicated at 96, etc., corresponding to each of the great organ keys which it is desired to couple to the swell organ an octave lower, and that there are a plurality of coupling devices indicated at 99, etc. corresponding to great organ keys, which it is desired to couple to great organ keys or devices an octave higher and that there are a plurality of coupling devices indicated at 102, etc, corresponding to those great organ keys which it may be desired to couple to those great organ keys an octave lower. There are also a corresponding plurality of sets of coupling devices, as indicated at 121, etc. and 123, etc., their number being suflicient for the purposes desired. The coupling devices indicated by 121, 123, 94:, 96, 72, 99 and 102 are preferably arranged in rows as above explained, only one of each row being shown.

From the above it will be seen that I have provided two sets of controlling air ducts as at 8 and 1170 for difierent sets of speaking devices, a valve 16 for opening the controlling ends of said ducts, a sliding coupling valve 72 in the ducts of one set and means for mechanically operating said last mentioned valve. This forms an especially simple and efficient combination for the purposes desired and I have found that it is also most conducive to reduction of space and weight in the apparatus.

Besides each valve being independently pressed to its seat by its spring 80 the parts are less liable to get out of order and leakage is kept down to a minimum, and yet the parts are all simple in construction and operation.

Although I have described my improvements with respect to one particular embodiment thereof, and in great detail, nevertheless I do not desire to be limited to such details except as clearly pointed out in the claims, since it is obvious that many changes and modifications may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention in its broader aspects, but,

Having thus fully and clearly described my improvements, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an organ or like coupler combined with suitable speaking devices, two sets of controlling air ducts controlling two sets of speaking devices respectively, a plurality of coupling valves, the closures of which slide over their respective valve seats and each valve closure being independently movable toward its seat, one valve for each duct of one set for opening and closing the same, a spring for each valve tending to press the same toward its seat, and means for opening or closing said valves simultaneously to couple or uncouple said sets of speaking de vices.

2. In an organ or like coupler combined with suitable speaking devices, two sets of controlling air ducts controlling two sets of speaking devices respectively, a plurality of coupling valves for the ducts of one set, the closures of which slide over their respective valve seats and each valve closure being independently movable toward its seat, one valve for each duct of one set for opening and closing the same, and means for opening and closing said valves to couple or uncouple said sets of speaking devices.

3. In an organ or like coupler combined with suitable speaking devices, two sets of controlling air ducts controlling two sets of speaking devices respectively, a plurality of coupling valves, the closures of which slide over their respective valve seats and each valve closure being independently movable toward its seat, one valve for each duct of one set for opening and closing the same, and means for opening or closing said valves simultaneously to couple or uncouple said sets of speaking devices.

l. In an organ or like coupler combined with suitable speaking devices, two sets of controlling air ducts controlling two sets of speaking devices respectively, a plurality of coupling valves for the ducts of one set, the closures of which slide over their respective valve seats and each closure having its moving structure movable toward its seat independently of the others, and means for mechanically moving the same to open and close the valves to couple and uncouple said sets of speaking devices.

5. In an organ or like coupler combined with suitable speaking devices, two sets of controlling air ducts controlling two sets of speaking devices respectively, a plurality of sliding coupling valves for the ducts of one set, each having its moving structure movable toward its seat independently of the others, a spring for each valve tending to name to this specification, in the presence of press the movlng structure thereof toward two subscribing Witnesses.

its seat, said s rings having ends and common means engaging said ends to move the JOSEPH SCHVVERTNER' 5 Valve structure simultaneously to couple and Witnesses:

uncouple said sets of speaking devices. GORI-IAM CROSBY, In testimony whereof, I have signed my EDWIN SEGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

